E39 M5 - facelift or not?
Discussion
I need a car for about 12 months that is not going to depreciate too hard - I was looking at a 996 Turbo but have turned my attentions to an E39 M5. I live in Central London and I am in my 20s so an M5 is a little big/old, but I had an E46 M3 cab a few years ago and have decided that an M5 looks like good understated fun... and goes like hell.
Questions (and apologies if some have been previously covered in this forum):
- The M5 has been replaced and - unlike the M3 - am I right in thinking that older values should therefore not fall too much further over the next year? They can't go that much lower!
- Which colours resell best? Silver bores me and most cars seem to be blue, but which blue is the best (black/grey appeals to me)?
- I have noticed that most cars have two tone interior, does this look good or hideous in the flesh (being a simple type I suspect the latter)?
- Can anyone tell me more about the facelift that took place around 2001? Do I need to go for a post-facelift car? What changed (sat nav, lights, front PDC, M3 steering wheel + ?)?
- I know that with Porsches an OPC (Official Porsche Centre) will put a warranty on a car regardless of whether it is purchased through them or not (subject to inspection) - will BMW do similar?
- BMW has recently (controversially) hiked the price of warranties, should I a) try and find a car which already has an extended BMW warranty on it, or b) purchase a third party warranty? Does the new 60k warranty mileage restriction mean that I need to find a car with considerably less than 60k miles? I will do <10k miles/yr.
I am keen to pay well under £20k - but want a great car that is going to cause me no problems (yes - I know...!).
Help (and any other tips) would be much appreciated - help me convince myself to get an M5!
Will
>> Edited by wrn on Tuesday 11th April 01:22
Questions (and apologies if some have been previously covered in this forum):
- The M5 has been replaced and - unlike the M3 - am I right in thinking that older values should therefore not fall too much further over the next year? They can't go that much lower!
- Which colours resell best? Silver bores me and most cars seem to be blue, but which blue is the best (black/grey appeals to me)?
- I have noticed that most cars have two tone interior, does this look good or hideous in the flesh (being a simple type I suspect the latter)?
- Can anyone tell me more about the facelift that took place around 2001? Do I need to go for a post-facelift car? What changed (sat nav, lights, front PDC, M3 steering wheel + ?)?
- I know that with Porsches an OPC (Official Porsche Centre) will put a warranty on a car regardless of whether it is purchased through them or not (subject to inspection) - will BMW do similar?
- BMW has recently (controversially) hiked the price of warranties, should I a) try and find a car which already has an extended BMW warranty on it, or b) purchase a third party warranty? Does the new 60k warranty mileage restriction mean that I need to find a car with considerably less than 60k miles? I will do <10k miles/yr.
I am keen to pay well under £20k - but want a great car that is going to cause me no problems (yes - I know...!).
Help (and any other tips) would be much appreciated - help me convince myself to get an M5!
Will
>> Edited by wrn on Tuesday 11th April 01:22
off_again - I really appreciate your thoughts, they are clearly well informed. I should point out that I am comfortable with losing a couple of grand or so over the year - it is a >£5k hit that I am keen to avoid... so I feel that an M5 could be right?
I am looking for a good car: carbon black with nav/comms, post-facelift, reasonable miles, BMW extended warranty and at sensible money (without two-tone leather).
My AMV8 is going next week and I have a 997 Turbo due in about 12 months - I need a car to plug the gap.
Will
>> Edited by wrn on Tuesday 11th April 21:49
I am looking for a good car: carbon black with nav/comms, post-facelift, reasonable miles, BMW extended warranty and at sensible money (without two-tone leather).
My AMV8 is going next week and I have a 997 Turbo due in about 12 months - I need a car to plug the gap.
Will
>> Edited by wrn on Tuesday 11th April 21:49
Unfortunately an M coupe / Lexus does nothing for me - and I buy half with my heart and half with my head.
I have spoken to BMW to confirm the warranty situation and for an M5 extended warranty fees are now:
- £900 up to 60k miles
- £1,800 >60k miles <100k miles (not available over 100k miles)
The M5s likely to depreciate least are the cheaper ones, which are the older ones, which are the ones less likely to have a warranty. Are there any third party warranties which match up to BMW (or even come close)? Am I mad to buy without a warranty (ie. if things go wrong are they that hideous to fix)?
P.S. I have found two interesting cars:
- 51 plate carbon black (+ cream leather...) one with 70k miles, nav and 9 month BMW extended warranty (private) but have to wait 4 weeks for new V5 / tax to be issued
- 0202 49k miles carbon black, nav £23k
>> Edited by wrn on Wednesday 12th April 15:30
I have spoken to BMW to confirm the warranty situation and for an M5 extended warranty fees are now:
- £900 up to 60k miles
- £1,800 >60k miles <100k miles (not available over 100k miles)
The M5s likely to depreciate least are the cheaper ones, which are the older ones, which are the ones less likely to have a warranty. Are there any third party warranties which match up to BMW (or even come close)? Am I mad to buy without a warranty (ie. if things go wrong are they that hideous to fix)?
P.S. I have found two interesting cars:
- 51 plate carbon black (+ cream leather...) one with 70k miles, nav and 9 month BMW extended warranty (private) but have to wait 4 weeks for new V5 / tax to be issued
- 0202 49k miles carbon black, nav £23k
>> Edited by wrn on Wednesday 12th April 15:30
off_again - you certainly have done your homework and I appreciate the time put into your response.
In summary it sounds like the biggest bill for a single fault is around £3k (and that a complete engine replacement is very unlikely). As you say, given the £1,800 cost of the warranty the risk is well worth taking. A far cheaper warranty from the RAC / AA or similar will cover all the smaller electrical faults which you refer to.
Your buying tips are great - though checking oil consumption sounds quite challenging!
In my eyes a lower mileage (<70k) post-facelift car (ie. not the cheapest... but not the most expensive) in good condition with a good colour combo + nav represents the best buy which will be easy to sell when the time comes and shouldn't depreciate too much or present too many problems. About £17k - £18k looks like the right money to spend.
Will
In summary it sounds like the biggest bill for a single fault is around £3k (and that a complete engine replacement is very unlikely). As you say, given the £1,800 cost of the warranty the risk is well worth taking. A far cheaper warranty from the RAC / AA or similar will cover all the smaller electrical faults which you refer to.
Your buying tips are great - though checking oil consumption sounds quite challenging!
In my eyes a lower mileage (<70k) post-facelift car (ie. not the cheapest... but not the most expensive) in good condition with a good colour combo + nav represents the best buy which will be easy to sell when the time comes and shouldn't depreciate too much or present too many problems. About £17k - £18k looks like the right money to spend.
Will
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